Hi guys:

Been a busy week. Lots of training and tons of fun. However, at the tail end of 5 hour hike today, I tossed a log into the creek for Vince to retrieve and heard what sounded like the jostling of shale type rocks under his feet. Almost (and possibly could be) sounded like glass. Didn’t think much of it – rocks move in creeks when 100 lb dogs go flying over them and he returned with the log. Of course, true to form, he showed no outward signs that anything had happened and we carried on our way. However, about 5 minutes later, when he passed at a direct angle in front of me, I noticed blood on his pastern. It wasn’t bleeding, per se, just kind of a red blood stained area.

We stopped, checked it out and saw this 1 ½ inch slice on his rear left pastern:

We’ve just come and I’ve plastered it with Neosporin.

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/TranquilleSept262010120.jpg

Bob is spreading it open here. The white spot is the Neosporin ointment. I don’t see any veins or tendons. It appears to be just a slice in the hide.

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/TranquilleSept262010121.jpg

Bob is of the opinion that we should get him to an e-vet for some stitches. I’m a little hesitant, not sure why, thinking that maybe some gauze and a tensor bandage would save Vince the trauma of an e-vet. It’s not bleeding, at all, just this deep slice in the hide.

Can anyone offer suggestions on what we should do? We’re more than willing to head into town if necessary.

Thanks Melissa. Hubby was right here beside me reading this and totally agreed with you (he thinks your smart - help with Echo eyes too). I got one of those - "See, I told you so's" He's gone to make the phone call.

Can you post a pic after the vet is done with it? I'm always curious to see what they end up doing.

Okay, just got off the phone with the vet. She said that it’s not going to make much difference if it’s not bleeding and he’s crated and quiet tonight. (It’s been a long, exciting day and he's resting very quietly – he’s almost sleeping) And will save me over 200.00 in just the visit, let alone what needs to be done. Not a concern but the alternative allowed her to book me with leg/foot specialist tomorrow morning at 9:00 am. He’s not available for an emergency tonight. She said to gauze it and a loose, very loose tensor (do not cut off his circulation). In three hours we are to flush it with sterile water for five minutes and re-bandage (she couldn't stress "loosely" enough).

She said they will most likely need to put a few staples in it. She also said they will most likely have to put him under anesthetic. Now this has me scared. Is this truly going to be necessary?

From the looks of the picture I would do nothing more than keep it 100% clean and put (I forget what the purple stuff is called) on the wound. keep him out of the dirt and little running around for a few days. Zuki just had a cut similar and I did such. Unless worried about appearance I would do only that and of course if he would seem to be in major discomfort I would do otherwise. (my opinion of course (as I have done this before) as others are sure to object)

Well you know Elizabeth, object or not, that was certainly my first impression. Hubby being quite adament he needs to go in and Melissa confirming it with the size and depth analysis... what do I know. He is not in any visible pain, no limping or favoring it.

I have no worries about cosmetics however, I do want it to heal as perfectly and quickly as possible, which the vet said would happen with the staples.

This anesthetic though??? I want to avoid at all costs. I'm just worried if I go in and they insist and if I insist they don't... how much pain is it going to cause him. And am I better off just leaving well enough alone?

Oh my... what a tragic ending to an otherwise perfect day. Why did I have to throw that last stick...

CJ - I imagine you'll get an idea of how much you will need an anesthetic when you flush that thing in a few hours. It might just mean they need to dope him up with some promace to keep him from wiggling so much. I doubt they'll need to fully put him under.

Promace?? Google here I come.

I have Rescue Remedy. I've never given it to Vince though. Do you think this could possibly help too? I'm thinking probably best to keep him free of anything dependant on what they need to do and possible interactions.

In my business we frequently get cut pads. Rarely are they ever sutured. Usually, we just apply neosporin or bacitracin, liberally, which the dog is going to lick off anyway, and put on couple of days rest. Of course watch for infection. They heal rather quickly.

DFrost